Journeys 2027
Late Summer in Oxfordshire 2027
Date
Tuesday 7th - Friday 10th September 2027
Nights
3
Cost
£540
Description
A refreshing break at the Convent of St Mary the Virgin, Wantage, with short walks and time to simply be… The perfect opportunity to recharge and renew in gentle and peaceful surroundings. Situated on the edge of the Berkshire Downs, within beautiful grounds, the Convent offers community and space. We will immerse ourselves in both. Our days, two full and two part, will follow a pattern of gathered worship with the Sisters, time out walking as our own group, meals and the freedom to do as much of your own thing as you like: read, reflect, walk...
Walks and Excursions
Day 1:
We arrive at the Convent during the morning and gather together in the Peace Room. After lunch we can explore the Convent grounds, including a Silent Garden, Apple Orchard and Water Garden. There is also a labyrinth which we can walk around, to help us find our centre and connect with God. We will then walk a short distance to the Betjeman Millenium Park where we will follow the Betjeman Poetry Trail and hear some of his poems. On returning to the Convent we will have the opportunity to join the Sisters at the service of Vespers (evening prayer) and after supper there is Compline (night prayer).
Day 2:
The morning is free time to do as we wish, with the option to attend a half hour Eucharist with the Sisters. The Convent has a fully equipped Art Room, several sitting rooms and a small library. There is also plenty of outside seating in the beautiful gardens if the weather is fine. In the afternoon we will walk to the nearby village of Letcombe Regis, visit the tea room and then walk back. The walk of 4 miles will be at a leisurely pace and only has one slight incline. We will end our day together with supper and Compline, as previously.
Day 3:
Again, the morning is free time to do as we wish, with the option to attend a half hour Eucharist with the Sisters. After lunch we will take a 4 mile circular walk from the Convent, with one slight hill on the way. This follows part of the old canal and takes in a small nature reserve. Supper in the evening will be followed by Compline as usual.
Day 4:
After Eucharist in the morning there will be a Prayer Walk around the Convent grounds – a special time just for you and God. There will be stopping points to pause and consider a question or thought suggested, and then when you are ready – there is no hurry – walk slowly to the next. A Prayer Walk is an opportunity to ask God what he wants of you and for you to offer yourself to God. Many find this to be a time of peace and encounter.
We will depart after lunch.
Accommodation
St Mary’s Convent is beautifully furnished and our accommodation is in single, ensuite rooms in the Retreat Wing. Good quality, simple meals are taken in the Retreat Refectory, comprising a continental breakfast, cooked lunch and light supper. Tea and coffee making facilities are available throughout the day. Any dietary requirements can be catered for. Our first meal together will be lunch on Tuesday, our last, lunch on Friday.
Getting there
Please arrive mid-late morning. Car parking is available at the convent and there are electric car charging points. The nearest railway station is Didcot Parkway, from where a bus service runs to Wantage, or taxis are available.
Contact & Booking Form
With Sue Peachey and Gill Page. For more information please contact:
Sue: sue9.peachey@gmail.com / +44 (0)7586 478848 or
Gill: gillpage533@gmail.com / +44 (0)7866 936323
After you have contacted the leader to check that a place is still available please complete the details on the Booking Form